Reverse course on MLK Day decision

Martin Luther King Day is not only about King and his legacy. The day signifies much more.

It commemorates the baby steps we have taken as a nation toward living down our great national shame, the sin of slavery. It is a day to be spent in service of others. It's a day of contemplation about what is right and good in each of us and offers us a moment to commemorate the right and the good that the civil rights movement achieved.

But we must also recognize the shameful gaps that still exist. We are a long, long way from living King's dream and one day a year to reflect on that should be the minimum tribute we pay.

That the Iowa City Community School District voted to hold classes on the holiday is a problem in and of itself - particularly without engaging the communities that decision would affect most. But in the larger picture, it amplifies the absolute tone-deafness the district has exhibited repeatedly toward minorities and their inclusion as valued members of the community. That pattern has to change.

The district must:

? Reverse the decision to hold classes on MLK Day and, instead, allow people of all races and creeds in our community to observe the holiday and the traditions they have established as they see fit.

? Reach out to members from all corners of our community to find the best ways possible to honor not only this day, but also the cultures and values of all the members of our diverse community.

? Make it policy to do so.

While it is well-intentioned to endeavor to put forward programming that will honor the day and King's spirit, the implementation of those good intentions belies our inability to include all our community at the decision-making table.

The district needs to reschedule those planned events and begin an open conversation about what King's legacy really means to us all.

If we are to live and work together to reach our shared goals we must include everyone. Until we do that, our community and our schools will be always divided.

And that should not be acceptable to any of us.

Jason T. Lewis

Iowa City

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Reverse course on MLK Day decision

Martin Luther King Day is not only about King and his legacy. The day signifies much more.